Anna Bailey (1938 – 2012)
HUDSON—Anna Kastel Bailey, 74, of Hudson died at Community Hospice in Columbia Memorial Hospital, May 1, 2012.
She was born in Ukraine, April 8, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Tomko and Eudokia (Kozla) Kastel.
She emigrated from a German holding camp through Ellis Island when she was age 11. The war was raging in central Europe at that time, and German soldiers gave her parents five minutes to grab their possessions and board an infested cattle train. The train took them to a huge, old troop ship, Das Heinsselman, to cross the Atlantic.
While working on a farm to repay their passage, they met earlier immigrants from their village, who encouraged them to move to Hudson. Due to her native intelligence, Mrs. Bailey adapted rapidly, but the traumas of her life always plagued her.
She was recently predeceased by her husband Edwin T. “E.T” Bailey, who died April 24, 2012.
Mrs. Bailey is survived by a son, Daniel Bailey of Hudson, and a sister, Sophie Terech in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; nieces, Lucy and (Calvin) Burns and Theresa Ryerse.
Funeral services are Friday, May 4, 11 a.m. at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport, with Fr. John of the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery.
James Wilson (1925 -2012)
UTICA—James R. “Dick” Wilson, 86, died May 1, 2012 after a long battle with kidney failure.
He was born and raised in Central New York and graduated from Jordan High School in 1943. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theatre and during the occupation of Japan in 1945.
He was hired as a toll collector by the New York State Thruway Authority in 1954. In 1969, he was promoted to director of toll collection, a post he held until he retired in 1985.
He was a member of several military and fraternal organizations, including the Masons, the Shrine Club, the American Legion, the Elks Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served in many offices.
In the Masons, he was master of the Cato Lodge #141 in 1968 and the Valatie Lodge #362 in 1998. He became a member of the Cyprus Shrine in 1973 and rose through the offices to potentate of Cyprus Shrine in 1992.
In 2000, he was appointed district grand lecturer of the Eastern Star for the Columbia Dutchess Putnam District after being patron of the Eda Chapter #459 in Kinderhook. Mr. Wilson was also post commander of American Legion Post #1127 in Jordan and LaBuff-Cole Post #911 in Cato. He was also a life member of the VFW Post in Stuyvesant Falls.
Mr. Wilson is survived by: three sons, Mark (Nancy) of East Greenbush, David (Stephanie) of Portland, ME, and Ken (Kim) of Enfield, CT; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his true love of 60 years, his wife, Vernona in 2009 and his first son, Rick in 1984.
A memorial service was held at St. Paul’s Church, 6 Sylvester Street, Kinderhook, Sunday, May 6 with a reception following at the McNary Center. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 516 Caren Street, Springfield, MA 01104.
Walter Nielsen (1927 – 2012)
HUDSON—Walter Thomas Nielsen passed away in the loving embrace of his family at Columbia Memorial Hospital, May 1, 2012.
Born June 7, 1927, in Cohoes and raised in North Albany, he was the son of John Christian Nielsen and Anna Irene O’Connor.
Mr. Nielsen served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946 and was a member of the American Legion Post 504, Au Sable Forks and Post 0047, Valatie. He was a graduate of Syracuse University and recipient of the State War Service Scholarship for Veterans and did advanced studies at SUNY Albany.
As a dedicated educator, he taught learning disabled youth and served as school psychologist in Hudson and at Taconic Hills for 25 years. He was a charter member of the National Association of School Psychologists.
He was predeceased by his dearest friend, fellow aviator and brother, John Christian Nielsen. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Mary Nielsen. He is loved deeply by his children, John Stimmel and wife Maureen, Michelle Dunn and husband Chris; as well as his grandchildren, Jacqueline, Kevin, and Kathleen Stimmel. He was the beloved uncle of Dona Marie and Bill Munro, Catherine and Bruce Clark, John C. and Sylvia Nielsen, Dwight and Helen Nielsen, Ann Marie Nielsen, Walter and Lori Nielsen, Rosalyn, Gregory and David Michels, Kristin Hanes and Corinne March. He was loved dearly by his brothers-in-law, Frank Michels and wife Kathleen, Jim Michels and wife Veronica and Joseph Michels.
The family expresses their gratitude to the second floor staff, Dr. Franklin, and the Hospice Unit at Columbia Memorial Hospital, for their compassionate care.
A memorial gathering will be held at the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, May 12 at 11 a.m., a time for sharing begins at noon. Interment will follow at Chatham Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ghent Food Pantry and Columbia Memorial Hospice. For directions or to send an online condolence visit www.frenchblasl.com.
Hilda Lippold (1921 – 2012)
VALATIE—Hilda M. Lippold, 90, of Valatie died peacefully, Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
She was born in Germany, July 31, 1921, the daughter of the late George and Rosa Schmieder.
Her husband of 58 years, Carlton J. Lippold, died in 2006. She was salutatorian of Alexander High School in 1939 and went on to graduate from Brockport State Teacher’s College. She began her teaching career in 1943 in Alden and later taught in Lockport. She returned to teaching after raising a family and taught for 16 years at Alexander Central School until her retirement in 1985.
She was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Church and a trustee of the Stevens Memorial Library. She loved to travel and was an avid quilter and gardener.
Surviving are: her four children, Ann (Rupert) Scharoun of Valatie, John (Mary Juhas) Lippold of Hilliard, OH, Mark (Patti) Lippold of Portland, ME, and Paul (Lisa) Lippold of York; nine grandchildren, Rupert Scharoun, Michael Scharoun, Andrew (Jessica) Scharoun, Lisa (Anthony Martin) Scharoun, Benjamin Scharoun, Rhiana (Matt) Leavitt, Dylan Lippold, Hilary Lippold and Jacob Lippold; one great-grandson, Ried; brothers, Fred, George and Herb Schmieder of Alexander and a sister, Shirley Plescia of Rochester. She was the sister of the late Arnold and Paul Schmieder and Erma Andre.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Monday, May 7 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, East Avenue followed by burial in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in Attica. Memorials may be made to the Stevens Memorial Library, 146 Main Street, Attica. Arrangements were with the Marley Funeral Home, 135 Main Street, Attica.
Warren Proper (1925 – 2012)
CATSKILL—Warren W. Proper, 86, of Hudson died Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Kaaterskill Care in Catskill.
Born August 24, 1925 in West Taghkanic, he was the son of the late Freeman and Jennie (Houghtaling) Proper.
He served in the U.S. Army 334th Engineer Regiment during World War II.
Mr. Proper worked in maintenance at Bliss Towers before retiring.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and liked to collect model cars.
He is the beloved father of Donna Wheeler and Juanita McChesney, both of Hudson; devoted grandfather of Christine Wheeler of Florida; special great-grandfather of Angelia Wheeler of Florida, and brother of Charles Proper of Hudson. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Sigler) Proper and many sisters and brothers. Services were held May 5 at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home. Burial was in Cedar Park Cemetery. Visit www.batesanderson.com.